Job Description

Job Title:Senior Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA)

Contract:Full Time

Reports to:Advocacy Manager

Salary:Up to £32,000 depending on experience

Working hours:35 hours per week

Location:London, SE5

Holiday:30 days, including bank holidays

Special Conditions:In accordance with our Safeguarding Policy, all Staff are subject to a satisfactory DBS (formerly CRB) check.

Job Purpose

  • To be responsible for developing and managing the delivery of Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA) and staff.
  • To deliver IMCA casework and cover for absence as required.
  • To contribute to monitoring and evaluation of the service delivery.
  • To contribute to the development of the Cambridge House Advocacy Service and the wider organisation.
  1. Line Management Responsibility
  • Develop the knowledge and skills of the IMCA through regular ad-hoc support, supervision, annual appraisal and provision of formal and informal training as required.
  • Contribute to the recruitment and induction of new IMCAs
  • Set objectives and targets for the IMCA staff, monitor performance against targets and address any issues of poor performance or misconduct.
  • To support IMCA’s to identify and attend training.
  1. Service Delivery and Development
  • In conjunction with the staff team develop and implement an annual work plan.
  • Supervise Case Management systems, maintain and regularly review the team’s referral and allocation system ensuring that each staff member has an appropriate caseload.
  • To establish and maintain effective methods of signposting service users and recording unmet needs.
  • Deliver IMCA casework, in line with the MCA 05 and internal policies and guides.
  • To ensure all casework is recorded in a clear and accurate case file and on appropriate databases.
  • Contribute to the planning and development of the service by keeping abreast of needs, drafting proposals and undertaking service development tasks as required, which will include ongoing liaison with local authority and NHS staff.
  • Support preparation of internal and external evaluation and monitoring reports in line with service contracts or on request.
  • Ensure there are opportunities for the of involvement service users to express their views in order to improve the delivery of the service.
  1. Other Responsibilities
  • To ensure that systems are in place in Cambridge House for the implantation of IMCA
  • To keep abreast of relevant Legislation, Local and National Policy and treatment modalities and any other relevant developments in IMCA.
  • To deputise for Advocacy Manager in their absence.
  • To undertake any training as agreed with the Line Manager.
  • To ensure that all work carried out is in compliance with the Mental Capacity Act and any other national regulations.
  • Whilst carrying out these duties to reflect and implement the Equal Opportunities objectives and policies of Cambridge House.
  • Where appropriate to represent the organisation and service at relevant meetings, events, conferences.
  • To work independently, organise work effectively and set priorities. To be self-servicing and undertake word processing.
  • To work flexibly, in a co-operative way with others and undertaking any other necessary and appropriate tasks where directed.

This job description is provided as a guide to the role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive description of duties and responsibilities. It will be subject to periodic revision as the emphasis on and ways of working within the role changes.

Person Specification / Essential
Qualifications and training /
  1. Experience of working in IMCA role and have relevant IMCA/DOLS qualifications

Knowledge and experience /
  1. Experience of working in IMCA role and have relevant IMCA/DOLS qualifications.
  2. Experience of work with people who are deemed to lack capacity, in IMCA role or RPR role
  3. Experience of managing staff or volunteers
  4. Experience of communicating with people who lack capacity using a variety of means.
  5. Experience of effective working relationships with a wide range of people.
  6. Experience of writing reports summarising complex information

Skills, abilities and competencies /
  1. The ability to maintain accurate case files and monitoring information.
  2. Good verbal and written communication skills and presentation skills.
  3. The ability to work on own initiative.
  4. The ability to plan and prioritise case load and group work in conjunction with colleagues.
  5. The ability to use Microsoft Word, Outlook and Explorer

Knowledge /
  1. An understanding of the Mental Capacity Act, its related Code of Practice and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Code of Practice and its requirements for advocacy.
  2. A knowledge of equal opportunities, particularly how it applies to people who lack capacity.